Evaluation vs. LOR Forum

[BigCityDreams]

I am currently online attempting to send my request for the LORs and I came across the evaluations. What exactly are they? Do we have to send those also, or are they completely optional. Not sure if this has been discussed elsewhere but I was unable to find it. Any responses would be appreciated.

[Rigo]

You can view them somewhere on LSAC. Your recommenders rate you on many different aspects on a scale of very poor to exceptional or something like that.
It's optional though and I didn't have my recommenders do it.
I believe Stanford likes it a lot though.

[hillz]

Rigo is right. There are blanks underneath each rating where recommenders can add additional comments to explain their rating. I think applicants often choose that option because it doesn't require as much time as a thoughtful LOR.

Most schools accept them, but I think they are usually better used as an addition rather than a replacement for a LOR. Typically, a good LOR is viewed as stronger than an evaluation.

Stanford does accept evaluations, but they can't be used in place of the two letters they require. If you submit an eval for Stanford, the recommender must fill in the narrative blanks below each rating.

[Rigo]

Yes. Thank you hillz.
I took for granted that OP knew evaluations should not displace LORs.

[BigCityDreams]

Thank you both for the clarification! I knew it would not replace LORs but I was unclear as to whether or not it was a requirement. Thanks again